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Packers Have No One Opposite Matthews

Erik Walden has been serviceable playing opposite Clay Matthews in 2011.

That pretty much sums it up.

Walden has given way to Frank Zombo and Brad Jones (and then Vic So'oto) the last two weeks, first due to poor play and then due to illness. Before that, Walden had played, if not well, then well enough.

The problem of course is that in Dom Capers' version of the 3-4 defense, playing "well enough" at one of its premiere positions simply won't help yield a top-flight defense.

I admit, after the season he had last year and coming out of training camp, I thought Walden would emerge as, if not a force, then a real compliment to fellow starting outside linebacker Clay Matthews. Instead, Walden has played well in spurts but been pretty pedestrian overall.

So...enter Frank Zonbo? Or Brad Jones? Or (gulp) Vic So'oto?

Well, sure. If only because variety is the spice of life.

The truth, sadly, is that the Packers have been rotating the outside linebacker opposite Matthews on and off for the past two years because they don't have a real answer at the position. Funnily enough, as awkward as Aaron Kampman looked standing up, he played as well if not better than most of the guys that have paraded through since his departure.

Obviously, this is not some major revelation. However, Packers fans expecting general manager Ted Thompson to start deviating from his normal draft and develop routine should be ready to be disappointed, unless a Conor Barwin-type outside linebacker happens to fall perfectly on Thompson's board, a big move for a pass rusher a la Matthews is unlikely.

No, Thompson will no doubt continue to trust his draft board. If the help that's needed falls into the Packers' lap, he won't hesitate to make the pick. But don't expect some grand move to help bolster the defense and/or the pass rush.

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Comments (19)
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I am not so sure, how critical a second dominant OLB is to this "Capers-defense". The situation was pretty much the same last year, but this defense created enough pressure. With the way Jenkins and Raji had to be accounted for, it made life so much easier for Capers, Matthews and whomever started opposite of him. And I know you don't want to hear it anymore, but the pass-defense of last year was pretty darn good. My point being one more passrusher, regardless of position, would probably turn this defense around.

We have the same guys we had last year, except that instead of Jenkins, we have Neal. Maybe he'll get stronger as he plays more.
So'Oto and Lattimore are wildcards. I think an offseason will benefit these guys, as well as guys like Zombo and Shields. They missed the offseason last year.

I think your right about the off-season work. Considering that Zombo is a converted DE I don't think we have seen everything from him yet, same may be the case for Sooto. Would still like to see a Matthews type drafted though. TT did trade up to get him, so you never know what he will do.

Keep in mind, I think alot of defenses are playing weak, out of fear of getting flagged for illegal hits. Dom's smart to tell his guys to focus more on stripping the ball than on hitting in this day and age.

How many fumbles have the Packers caused this year? I don't know the answer, but I can guarantee that it's a minute fraction how many tackles have been missed trying to strip the ball instead of wrapping up the ball carrier.

It drives me insane seeing guys swapping for the ball while the runner breaks free.

I think a lot of what TT will or won't do with respect to drafting for D or recruiting a quality free agent will depend very much on if this D is not a stumbling block on the way to the Super Bowl. I get that he won't over-react, but he also has not stood pat when there was a glaring need. He brought in Woodson and Pickett as quality free agents, and both of those guys are near the point when they will ride off into the sunset. He grabbed Raji and traded up to get Matthews just a few years ago to give the Dom the tools he needed. If the need is apparent, don't assume that he will simply play the hand he is dealt in the draft.

Of course, it's on display every time a QB uses a fake or play action to "freeze" Matthews. Either way I don't think we'll be hearing any love stories about the job Walden's done with contain or coverage.

I thought Zombo was a healthy scratch last week. If that's true, I'd love to know why. I can't believe it's something like poor practice habits...I mean, he played a whole game with a broken shoulder blade.

There's not a lot of buzz about OLB coming out like in years past. I know what must be done... Put a package together and grab Jerry Hughes off Indy's bench where he is rotting and being misused! That sounds like something Ted would do.

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